Accomplished return man hopes to contribute as receiver in Carolina

Published: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 9:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 9:18 p.m.

Carolina's seemingly endless quest to bolster its receiving corps behind veteran star Steve Smith took a bit of an unorthodox turn in bringing aboard a speedster who provided little at the position the past three seasons.

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Whether or not Ted Ginn Jr. is more than just a return man will have a chance to be answered after a stint in San Francisco spent almost exclusively bringing back punts and kickoffs.

“Without a doubt,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera replied when asked if Ginn was brought aboard to make a big contribution at receiver. “I think the biggest thing is that he has the ability to blow the top off of defenses and we've got to choose and use him in the right situations and circumstances.

“The beauty of it is also not just having him go vertical as much as just getting the ball into his hands and letting him use his speed. There's a place for that type of ability and we're going to try and maximize it.”

Ginn caught only two passes for one yard with the 49ers during last season's run to the Super Bowl and caught 19 for 220 and 12 for 163 the prior two years. That's not exactly the level of production that would normally pique the interest of a team in dire need of talented pass catchers.

Rivera said part of the low stats could be that Ginn was used much as a decoy due to his speed, adding “we most certainly have a plan for him and how we want to use him.”

Ginn holds no animosity toward San Francisco and simply surmised you sometimes have to give up parts of yourself, no matter how competitive, for the greater good of the team. With the 49ers reaching the Super Bowl before losing to Baltimore, it was hard to complain about any role.

“Fighting for a championship, a Super Bowl, you have to give up different things and I did that and became a team player,” Ginn said. “It's very important (to show the Panthers I can contribute as a receiver) and I just have to go out and play the game.

“There were a couple of (teams vying for his services), but here just stood out more. I bought in and they bought into me and are just giving me an opportunity. A lot of guys see me as a punt returner or a specialist and here they were like, come in and show us what you've got and we'll provide for you any way we can. So that's what I'm doing, showing what I have and just trying to help my receiver group and my quarterback and just keep on going.”

Ginn hasn't been a regular receiver in addition to his return duties since 2009 when he started 12 games and caught 38 passes for 454 yards with Miami one year following his second pro season when he had career-highs of 56 receptions for 790 yards. He ranked third in the NFC last year with a 10.2-yard punt return average and was among the top-four in the entire NFL during 2011 in both punt and kickoff returns.

“I just want to do whatever the team asks me to do,” Ginn said. “That's how I came in (to the league). I was a specialist and played receiver so whatever can happen, should happen. I'll keep competing and showing what I got and it's not up to me to make any decisions.”

The former Ohio State star was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft and is enjoying his change of scenery and the fact a franchise is excited about his prospects as a receiver again. Fourth-year veteran Brandon LaFell has developed into a solid complement to Smith, but after that duo the returning wide receiver with the most catches is Armanti Edwards, who accumulated a measly five last season.

“It's always a good opportunity when you can have new eyes no matter if you're playing football or have a new job, this is just life but it's in a sport,” Ginn said. “My mom and dad always told me to look for open opportunities and this is one and I'm going to go in and succeed and hope I make the best of it.

“I'm the new guy, but old, been in this game a while, but coming here playing with the Panthers has been a great opportunity and I'm just trying to come in and take it slow and show them what I've got.”

<p>Carolina's seemingly endless quest to bolster its receiving corps behind veteran star Steve Smith took a bit of an unorthodox turn in bringing aboard a speedster who provided little at the position the past three seasons.</p><p>Whether or not Ted Ginn Jr. is more than just a return man will have a chance to be answered after a stint in San Francisco spent almost exclusively bringing back punts and kickoffs.</p><p>“Without a doubt,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera replied when asked if Ginn was brought aboard to make a big contribution at receiver. “I think the biggest thing is that he has the ability to blow the top off of defenses and we've got to choose and use him in the right situations and circumstances.</p><p>“The beauty of it is also not just having him go vertical as much as just getting the ball into his hands and letting him use his speed. There's a place for that type of ability and we're going to try and maximize it.”</p><p>Ginn caught only two passes for one yard with the 49ers during last season's run to the Super Bowl and caught 19 for 220 and 12 for 163 the prior two years. That's not exactly the level of production that would normally pique the interest of a team in dire need of talented pass catchers.</p><p>Rivera said part of the low stats could be that Ginn was used much as a decoy due to his speed, adding “we most certainly have a plan for him and how we want to use him.”</p><p>Ginn holds no animosity toward San Francisco and simply surmised you sometimes have to give up parts of yourself, no matter how competitive, for the greater good of the team. With the 49ers reaching the Super Bowl before losing to Baltimore, it was hard to complain about any role.</p><p>“Fighting for a championship, a Super Bowl, you have to give up different things and I did that and became a team player,” Ginn said. “It's very important (to show the Panthers I can contribute as a receiver) and I just have to go out and play the game.</p><p>“There were a couple of (teams vying for his services), but here just stood out more. I bought in and they bought into me and are just giving me an opportunity. A lot of guys see me as a punt returner or a specialist and here they were like, come in and show us what you've got and we'll provide for you any way we can. So that's what I'm doing, showing what I have and just trying to help my receiver group and my quarterback and just keep on going.”</p><p>Ginn hasn't been a regular receiver in addition to his return duties since 2009 when he started 12 games and caught 38 passes for 454 yards with Miami one year following his second pro season when he had career-highs of 56 receptions for 790 yards. He ranked third in the NFC last year with a 10.2-yard punt return average and was among the top-four in the entire NFL during 2011 in both punt and kickoff returns.</p><p>“I just want to do whatever the team asks me to do,” Ginn said. “That's how I came in (to the league). I was a specialist and played receiver so whatever can happen, should happen. I'll keep competing and showing what I got and it's not up to me to make any decisions.”</p><p>The former Ohio State star was the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft and is enjoying his change of scenery and the fact a franchise is excited about his prospects as a receiver again. Fourth-year veteran Brandon LaFell has developed into a solid complement to Smith, but after that duo the returning wide receiver with the most catches is Armanti Edwards, who accumulated a measly five last season.</p><p>“It's always a good opportunity when you can have new eyes no matter if you're playing football or have a new job, this is just life but it's in a sport,” Ginn said. “My mom and dad always told me to look for open opportunities and this is one and I'm going to go in and succeed and hope I make the best of it.</p><p>“I'm the new guy, but old, been in this game a while, but coming here playing with the Panthers has been a great opportunity and I'm just trying to come in and take it slow and show them what I've got.”</p>